Most kids create a physical object to take home and we hope they also take great memories and connections to the Museum. We want our family visitors to love the Museum and keep coming back. The Discovery Space is the start of lifelong learning for many of our little visitors.

Our activities need to tick a number of boxes:

Make connections to collection objects and exhibitions.

Appeal to broad audiences from toddlers to teenagers (and their adults).

Allow room for individual creativity and different learning methods.

Provide unusual materials within the constraints of conservation.

Provide new and unique experiences.

Cater for large numbers on a tight budget.

The Discovery Space is a big logistical operation with up to 300 people through a day, and eight staff to operate the program. It requires liaison with many sections in the Museum including facilities, media services, visitor services, exhibitions, conservation and curatorial. Coming up with an activity that ticks all of the above boxes is quite challenging in itself, however a greater challenge for our team of two is to operate in the creative and logistical head spaces, often at the same time.

The regular cycle of school holidays and our marketing calendar deadlines require us to create concepts for the next program whilst delivering the current one. This can be quite mind bending. Making space in the brain for creativity can be difficult when you are time-poor and in the middle of rostering staff, writing risk management plans, approving marketing content, ordering craft materials and balancing a budget.

Workspace of a Family Programs Coordinator

My working life prior to the cultural sector was in logistics, so creative thinking is not my natural position; I am far more task-oriented with lists, order and process. I have to work hard at being creative. I have not yet discovered a tried and true method for coming up with a great creative concept. The process to develop Discovery Space activities can require considerable consultation, research, brainstorming and testing. Sometimes the ideas flow quickly and easily. Other times, they come after a long and agonising process.

I have been a part of creating 15 Discovery Space activities at the National Museum and the following are a few of the tactics I may employ when trying to get the creative side of my brain working:

Tap your people:

Two brains are better than one. Bouncing ideas between our team of two is essential.

I know a core group of clever people both inside and outside the Museum. They invariably have great ideas. It is important to recognise these people.

Talk about your ideas to relevant people (but not everybody). Too many heads can be obstructive, however occasionally targeted brainstorming and feedback is very useful in larger groups. The Museum has an invaluable staff group called MinMin (Museum Indigenous Network) who provide honest feedback and ideas, especially relating to Indigenous programs.

Recycle and adapt:

Make a note if you see or remember something interesting. It might not work for anything now, but in time it might be perfect to adapt into a relevant and interesting activity.

What have you got in your storeroom? In my case, it is a treasure trove and often dictates the activities we do.

Hardware stores and buyback shops are great to browse in and can provide awesome inspiration.

Give it time and space:

Start thinking early. A germ of an idea will develop in time into something big, but it’s rare for a big idea to be developed in no time at all.

Try to schedule thinking time for yourself. Ideas may not flow but they definitely will not if you are in the middle of spreadsheets. In my experience, Friday afternoons are most productive and are when the best ideas come.

Saying this, sometimes the best idea bouncing sessions within the team happens randomly and is not a scheduled activity. Impromptu sessions should not be stifled.

The left and right side of the brain do need to work in unison to bring creative yet complicated programs to reality. It’s a challenge, but a good one and, as Amanda beautifully articulates in Part 1, it is incredibly rewarding when we witness our family visitors absolutely loving the Museum and ‘getting’ what we are trying to achieve. The best comments are along the lines of:

You guys always come up with great ideas. How do you do it?

It’s not easy! When they come back next holidays we had better come up with something new!

Speaking of which… our next Discovery Space program is called Young Masters. Bring your children along to create a collage masterpiece documenting a journey, history or family story.